5D Mk1 - pros & cons?

[havoc]

Have the opportunity of getting a used 5D Mk1, but don't know a lot about them: The sort of questions going through my mind are:-
- how good a camera is it? (currently use a 40D and a 20D, would sell the 20D if I got it)
- how my current lenses would work on it (Tamron 18-50, Canon 70-300IS, Canon 50mm f/1.8, Canon 12-24 f/something)
- what it's good at and not-so-good at?

Also wondering what a fair price is, body-only. Being told you can't tell the # of actuations without sending it off to Canon - is this true?

Thanks,

Martin.

[Craikeybaby]

If you image in a slightly bigger 20D, but with much better images, you're most of the way there.

What kind of photography do you do?

[tim-b]

I stepped up from a 30D and the difference was big....noise control was much better (although not in a different league like the MkII) and the FF just seemed to make better images - colour and tone (how much of that is quantifiable, or just a feeling, I don't know...) and of course more 'bokeh' and wider viewing angle as you probably know. Bigger, brighter viewfinder and meatier size also make it more pleasant to use.

I did very occasionally miss not having a flash on camera (still don't have a flash now!) but apart from that really didn't look back. BTW my OH has a 40D, and I hate the screen - very soft and a strong blue cast - the 5D is much crisper and better colours, like my 30D was (and maybe your 20D?).

Hope that's useful, if you're prepared for the perceived difference in lens length I'm sure you won't regret it

[DibblyDobbler]

[quote=havoc] how my current lenses would work on it (Tamron 18-50, Canon 70-300IS, Canon 50mm f/1.8, Canon 12-24 f/something)
quote] On Full Frame EF lenses will mount but not EF-S

So:

Tamron 18-50 - I think probably yes (best check)
Canon 70-300 - no unless it's the L version
Canon 50mm - yes
Canon 12-24 - not heard of it but probably not I think ?

[havoc]

Sorry, Tamron 12-24...mental typo!

No on-camera flash will give me an excuse to buy a speedlite!


Craikey - it was a lot of motorsport and a lot of holiday stuff, but will increasingly be family stuff, off-the-cuff local photos (landscape and people) and a smaller amount of m'sport and holiday.

Edited by havoc on Wednesday 23 January 13:56

[markmullen]

DibblyDobbler]avoc said:

how my current lenses would work on it (Tamron 18-50, Canon 70-300IS, Canon 50mm f/1.8, Canon 12-24 f/something)
quote] On Full Frame EF lenses will mount but not EF-S

So:

Tamron 18-50 - I think probably yes (best check)
Canon 70-300 - no unless it's the L version
Canon 50mm - yes
Canon 12-24 - not heard of it but probably not I think ?

IIRC all the 70-300s have been EF.

[DibblyDobbler]

markmullen said:

IIRC all the 70-300s have been EF.

Gosh you're right! Now I'm confused as I thought generally speaking only L lenses fitted Full Frame and they are EF, and non-L didn't fit and are EF-S.

But the non-L 70-300 would not seem to fit that rule of thumb ?

[DibblyDobbler]

havoc said:

Sorry, Tamron 12-24...mental typo!

So I *think* this will mount but maybe not useable at shorter focal lengths. Best do some Googling!

[markmullen]

DibblyDobbler said:

Gosh you're right! Now I'm confused as I thought generally speaking only L lenses fitted Full Frame and they are EF, and non-L didn't fit and are EF-S.

Simpler still, crop sensor cameras can take EF and EF-S lenses, full frame can only take EF.

All L series are EF fit but not all EF fit are L series.

[Thunderace]

Canon make about 10 EF-S and 60+ EF lenses. Of the EF range, roughly half are Ls.

The 5D can't use EF-S.

[DibblyDobbler]

Well I never. Seems there really is no end to my ignorance

Op - sorry, this has gone off track a bit but still of some help I hope.

[Republik1980]

havoc said:

Have the opportunity of getting a used 5D Mk1, but don't know a lot about them: The sort of questions going through my mind are:-
- how good a camera is it? (currently use a 40D and a 20D, would sell the 20D if I got it)
- how my current lenses would work on it (Tamron 18-50, Canon 70-300IS, Canon 50mm f/1.8, Canon 12-24 f/something)
- what it's good at and not-so-good at?

Also wondering what a fair price is, body-only. Being told you can't tell the # of actuations without sending it off to Canon - is this true?

Thanks,

Martin.

Just written an essay, only for fugging IE to lose it all.. so here's the gist in summary:

Good points: Great image quality, still highly regarded, cheapest way to full frame, 13mp is perfectly adiquate, shallower depth of field / better subject separation than crop, big, bright viewfinder.

Bad points: Getting a bit old now (although my Canon stuff has usually proven very reliable), medocre high ISO performance compared with current offerings (ISO3200 max, useable probably ISO1600 max), slow autofocus, poor weatherproofing, missing some "standard" features of newer bodies such as live view and micro lens adjust. Compared to the AF point distrbution of the 40D it's not as versitile (covers less of the frame) however if you usually shoot by focussing in the centre and recomposing it's not a problem.

As regards the lenses you mention; check that the Tamron 18-50 and 12-24 will fit full frame (not sure myself). The other glass you have will fit fine.

As regards it's intended uses, you'll be far better using the 40D for motorsport on account of the crop factor and faster AF. The 5D will do well for candids / street, family, landscapes etc..

As regards used prices 5Ds seem to be going for around £400-500 on the 'bay at the moment.

sorry, can't help with the shutter count but try hammering google..

If you're wondering this is coming from an owner of a 40D for the past 5yrs, and fresh owner of a 5DII. Obviously unsure of your budget, it's a lot more than a used 5D but the 5DII is now discontinued and can be had for a good price £1100-1200 while remaining stocks are sold.

Hope this helps!

[DavidY]

At 400-500 on eBay, you would be better looking at MPB photographic who have LSD in at that price range. At least then you'll get support and some form of warranty, plus they will stand by their shutter count.

[XKjimmy]

I'll second that, I've used MPB photographic before and they were very good. Item was just as described, great service.
I received an e-mail today with offers in, The 5D was included

http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/search/?viewall=1...

[RobDickinson]

havoc said:

Have the opportunity of getting a used 5D Mk1, but don't know a lot about them: The sort of questions going through my mind are:-
- how good a camera is it? (currently use a 40D and a 20D, would sell the 20D if I got it)
- how my current lenses would work on it (Tamron 18-50, Canon 70-300IS, Canon 50mm f/1.8, Canon 12-24 f/something)
- what it's good at and not-so-good at?

Also wondering what a fair price is, body-only. Being told you can't tell the # of actuations without sending it off to Canon - is this true?

Thanks,

Martin.

Canons 5d is effectively a 20d with a FF sensor and better LCD (slightly different AF system).

Its overall image quality ( noise, colour, sharpness etc) is still better than all of the canon crop sensors , though it doesnt have as much resolution.

AF is mediocre. Viewfinder is superb. Operationally it will be a step back from the 40d but a bit better than the 20d.


IMO there is still something magical about the images the 5d produces, even compared to the current models (which on technical measurable qualities surpass it).

Tamron 18-50 - will fit and fire but reduced image circle will vignette like mad so not a goer.

Canon 70-300IS - will be fine.

Canon 50mm f/1.8 - if focus is spot on wil be like a whole new and amazing world.

Canon 12-24 f/something - no idea

[neilr]

I use a 5DII and 7D but still have my old 5D. It depends what you want to do with it. I was about to say mine never missed a beat but the mirror did drop out of it, Canon replaced that free as its a known problem. No probs other than thst and it saw heavy use.

Weather sealing - buy a raincoat for it, theyre not expensive and problem solved.

High ISO to 1600 is still good, it was good when it came out its still good, its jsut some newer cameras are better of course. The noise is less objectionable than the mk2 or 7D IMHO. Files clean up well ad 3200 usable at a push.

Ive had no issues with focusing with lenses regarding front ot back focus, but i mostly use 24-70/2.8 and 70-200/2.8, along with 50/1.4/8 and 100/2

If youve got 500 ish to spend and thats your budget, then you could do much worse. AF isnt the best, but the centre focus point very rarely let me down, not ideal but it never caused me much of a genuine problem, but that depends on your style.

you pays your money as they ssy.

HTH.

[havoc]

Can't afford a 5D MkII, not even close, so that's a non-starter...this is just idle speculation as an upgrade to the 20D. Not overly taken by the 7D either...not fussed about the extra features vs my 40D and it seems very noisy.

So it's "is it worth £250-300 extra over the 20D?"


OK, so I'd need to invest in flash and a new walkabout lens for it (15-85 / 24-105 sort of territory would suit well?), which ups the budget but not in a bad way (IYSWIM) and I'd need to learn the whole focus-hold process (use the alternative focus points a lot on the 40D).

But the plus side would be a dedicated, very good landscape/portrait body and a dedicated 'action'/zoom body.

[RobDickinson]

15-85 wouldnt work. No EF-S lens would.


I would sugest get a 17-40L and use that for landscapes, and the 70-300 for portraits until you can get an 85/1.8

[flat-planedCrank]

I use a 5D1 as my main camera - pretty much 'wot Rob said'


Afaik you can't check the # of shutter actuations.


Only ever struggle with AF in really difficult situations like directly-into-the-sun or very low light (use the af assist on a speedlite).

Image quality is nice, but also worth remembering that it doesn't have the sensor cleaning of your 40D. I find mine quite prone to picking up dust too, though it's in no way a deal-breaker imo.


Hope this helps.

[RobDickinson]

TBH the 5d2 sensor cleaning is hardly worth the effort anyhow...